When the St. John's College and U.S. Naval Academy croquet teams meet for the Annapolis Cup on Saturday, even the players involved realize it's less about the match itself and more about the spectacle.

A cavalcade of colorful carousers wearing carefully crafted clothing reminiscent of time periods ranging from colonial to contemporary 1920s American opulence will gather on the front lawn of St. John's College in what's largely considered the Annapolis college's biggest event of the year.

It's grown to such a size that organizers have shut the doors on open admission, instead opting to sell 5,000 tickets at $10 apiece for those who are not students at St. John's or midshipmen or children 12 years old or younger. It sold out promptly, St. John's spokesman Gregory Shook said.

The college will again prohibit attendees from bringing their own alcohol to the event, meant to temper what had become a growing event that saw about 7,000 people attend last year.

Joe Gillespie-Hill, a 24-year-old senior at St. John's and four-year veteran of its croquet team, said he understands that he and his team are probably not the focus for the majority of people who attend the Annapolis Cup each year.

"Personally, it doesn't really bother me (what) people's reasons are for attending," he said. "I understand that it's a very boring game to watch."

But he said he's still excited to see his college of less than 1,000 people turn into an Annapolis hotspot for a day, with all the proceeds going toward helping with student financial aid.

"I think it's really cool and there's an enormous party on my campus," Gillespie-Hill said. "It just makes me feel like I'm part of something that's big and popular."

As Patrick McDowell, a 37-year-old St. John's alum who has gone to the event regularly since 2005 described it, the event is "a frat party meets the Kentucky Derby."

The Maryland Senior Olympics croquet tournament at Ginger Cove.

(Joshua McKerrow)

Against the backdrop of St. John's historic buildings, women and men alike will dress up in elaborate outfits, evoking styles dating back centuries.

The St. John's Freshman Chorus and the Naval Academy's Trident Brass Band will be joined by the Naptown Brass Band this year, adding some New Orleans-style jazz music to an already raucous affair.

"There's usually an Elvis impersonator too," McDowell said.

For he and his wife, Citali, they spend as much time preparing their outfits for the event than they do relaxing on top of a picnic blanket on the campus grounds.

He said his suit, a pinstriped brown outfit with a light pink tie, will be complemented by his wife's dress, which he described as a "feathery" lilac-colored dress that's representative of the Victorian era with a frame that accentuates her bottom half.

It's become part of their annual tradition, one that'll be shared by many others in attendance on Saturday.

But even as the event has grown in popularity, he said it's always been one of the more prominent aspects of the Annapolis Cup since he started attending over a decade ago.

"But as far as the game itself, even back then, I think the majority of people who go are there for the spectacle," McDowell said.

They've had fun with the idea in the past as well, wearing all black outfits with signs reading "Support the 24th Amendment" in protest of officials banning attendees from bringing their own alcohol.

However, he said he supports the college's decision to charge for tickets, citing the ballooning attendance rates and what the money will go toward.

"For me personally ... the actual curriculum is much more important and valuable than the croquet match itself," he said, pointing toward how proceeds are planned to go toward low-income students in need of financial aid.

As for the game itself, St. John's is looking to extend their winning streak to three consecutive years. While the college has historically dominated the event, the Midshipmen pulled off surprise victories in 2013 and 2014.

"I think the current feeling on the team is we really want to take it back all the way and ... go on another five or six year run," Gillespie-Hill said.

As for McDowell, he said he's still debating on whether to compliment his outfit with a bowler hat or a top hat.